15 Popular Writing Careers
Last updated on April 11th, 2023 by A1 True Jobs
Writing jobs can be rewarding as they typically allow you to use your imagination and create content independently. If you are passionate about writing and have an instinct for using words, one of the career options below may suit you. In this article, we explore some popular writing jobs and their requirements.
Popular writing careers
Some high-paying writing jobs are full-time with regular hours while other positions that involve writing are more flexible. So writers can find a role that suits their lifestyle. The career paths below require varying levels of education and experience. Research the requirements of the positions you’re interested in to make sure you are qualified. Here are 15 of the best jobs for writers:
- Reporter
- Grant writer
- Columnist
- Communications officer
- Social media manager
- Communication specialist
- Advertising manager
- Copywriter
- Public relations manager
- Executive assistant
- Content marketer
- Proposal writer
- Content strategist
- Professor
- Director of communications
1. Reporter
National average salary: $40,683 per year
Primary duties: A reporter researches news stories and then writes about their findings for news publications, including online publications, newspapers, and magazines, to inform the public of what is happening in the world and their local area. Reporters working for broadcast stations may also present their stories on television or over the radio. Many reporters specialize in a niche area of news, such as sports or entertainment.
Requirements: Many reporters have a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field. In these programs, they develop skills in writing and editing, storytelling, audience engagement, and research. Those who specialize in broadcast reporting may improve skills in public speaking and on-camera presence as well.
2. Grant writer
National average salary: $42,879 per year
Primary duties: A grant writer identifies sources for funding and writes persuasive proposals to secure those funds for their foundation or non-profit organization. They must follow each donor’s grant requirements when developing their applications.
Requirements: Many grant writers pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Writing, English, Communications, or a related discipline. They may also take coursework or earn their degree in a discipline related to the organization or sector they write grants for, such as healthcare or political science.
3. Columnist
National average salary: $39,956 per year
Primary duties: A columnist shares their opinions on current events in a newspaper, magazine, or online publication. They typically write about a specific niche subject, such as fashion, politics, or sports. In addition to their work writing columns, many columnists also write books and share their expert opinions on television and radio programs.
Requirements: These writing professionals may earn a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a discipline related to their niche writing fields, such as political science or fine arts. Higher education is not always required as some columnists may secure employment after years of working in the field they write about.
4. Communications officer
National average salary: $47,397 per year
Primary duties: A communications officer follows their employer’s marketing plan and branding guidelines to write promotional content, including press releases, brochures, and newsletters. They must use their employer’s preferred voice when creating their content.
Requirements: Communications officers typically earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, or another related field. Some positions may also require candidates to have a few years of relevant experience.
5. Social media manager
National average salary: $47,745 per year
Primary duties: A social media manager develops a social media strategy for their clients or employees in keeping with business brand guidelines. They then write original social media posts and leave comments on behalf of businesses to engage with their followers. Many also utilize analysis tools that track audience engagement and collect user data, which they then use to optimize their content to better fit the needs of their audience and market to new users as well.
Requirements: Many social media marketers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field. They are typically required to have a strong command of a variety of social media platforms, including the best practices for each. Depending on an employer’s needs, this role may be entry-level and accept candidates with limited professional experience but relevant skills in planning and organization, copywriting, and customer service.
6. Communication specialist
National average salary: $48,858 per year
Primary duties: A communication specialist checks and coordinates corporate and marketing materials before they are distributed. They make sure all content is free of errors, factually accurate, and written in their employer’s preferred tone and voice. While they do not usually write new content, they are a key part of the writing process.
Requirements: These professionals typically earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Technical Writing, or a related field. They should have excellent editing skills with respect to spelling and grammar as well as content organization.
7. Advertising manager
National Average Salary: $50,167 per year
Primary Duties: An advertising manager writes marketing plans for their clients or employer and helps creatives create advertisements according to the plan. They work closely with art departments and copywriters to develop advertising content.
Requirements: Advertising managers usually have a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Public Relations, or a related discipline. Since they are typically in charge of leading teams of creative professionals, employers may require candidates to have relevant professional experience in marketing and advertising, copywriting, or designing, in addition to some leadership experience as well.
8. Copywriter
National average salary: $50,846 per year
Primary duties: A copywriter writes copy for a variety of materials and mediums, including blogs, online articles, websites, advertisements, and social media. They rely on their engaging and persuasive writing abilities to encourage consumers to use a business’ products or services.
Requirements: Many copywriters have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field. Some may be able to secure employment without a degree but with a strong portfolio of written work. These professionals are often required to have skills in writing and editing, storytelling, and audience engagement.
9. Public relations manager
National average salary: $54,111 per year
Primary duties: A public relations manager works to make their clients or employer maintain a positive public image. They write press releases, speeches, and marketing content to encourage good press and counter negative publicity. They also encourage other writers, including journalists and bloggers, to write positive content about their clients or employer.
Requirements: These professionals typically earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Business, Communications, or another related discipline. Many go on to pursue a master’s degree in those disciplines or others, including fundraising, public health, or nonprofit management to further refine their practice and increase their earning potential.
10. Executive assistant
National Average Salary: $54,656 per year
Primary duties: An executive assistant performs administrative tasks for a business executive, which can often involve writing. Some of the things executive assistants are responsible for include writing briefs, preparing documents for business reports and writing thank you notes for business contacts.
Requirements: Many employers may prefer candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, though candidates who have years of relevant experience can secure employment with a high school diploma or GED or an associate degree. These professionals typically use skills in writing and editing, customer service, research, and audience engagement when completing writing tasks.
11. Content marketer
National average salary: $57,529 per year
Primary duties: A content marketer spends most of their time writing branded articles, including blog posts, scripts for web series, and social media posts. The content they create may be obviously centered around a business or be more subtle, incorporating mentions of the employer or client in more general related content.
Requirements: These professionals may work for a company or in a freelance capacity. For a company, their employer may require candidates to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Writing, Marketing, Communications, or a related field. Those who work freelance may find clients without having a degree but a strong portfolio of work.
12. Proposal writer
National average salary: $57,628 per year
Primary duties: This professional assesses requests for proposals issued by businesses and writes proposals to help their employer secure contracts. These persuasive documents must demonstrate how a proposal writer’s employer can meet another company’s needs.
Requirements: Proposal writers are typically required to have a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or another related field. Some may complete coursework in fields related to the type of proposal writing they do, such as business, healthcare, nonprofit organization, or politics.
13. Content strategist
National average salary: $59,920 per year
Primary duties: A content strategist develops, creates, and manages online content including website content and blogs. These professional writing jobs require a good understanding of search engine optimization and website analytics and how to apply them to make online content engaging and effective.
Requirements: These professionals typically secure employment with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field, as well as a few years of relevant experience in planning campaigns, conducting market research, and applying analytics to content creation.
14. Professor
National average salary: $67,128 per year
Primary duties: Professors lecture university or college students in their chosen discipline and spend some of their time writing lesson plans, conducting independent research, and writing about their findings for their own or academic journals. Professors also write grant proposals to secure funding for their research.
Requirements: Most professors are required to have a doctorate in their field. Some educational institutions require publication in peer-reviewed journals or other relevant publications, as well as teaching and/or relevant field experience.
15. Director of communications
National average salary: $72,607 per year
Primary duties: A director of communications is responsible for developing a business’ communications goals, branding, and style guidelines. They also oversee and help create content that follows these requirements, including press releases, newsletters, and other marketing materials. It is one of the high-level careers in writing that pay well.
Requirements: These professionals are required to have at minimum a bachelor’s degree, though most have a master’s degree or higher in public relations, communications, marketing, business, or another relevant discipline. Also, many employers prefer candidates to have a certain amount of relevant professional experience.
WRITTEN BY
A1 True Jobs
Explore our blog in Career Advice, Resumes & Cover Letters, Stress Management, Jobs and Careers, Career Development categories.